hello!

It's been so long since I've posted on my blog. I recently became reconnected with a couple people on facebook (Hi Cheri and Patrice!) and they took a peek here and saw it's been awhile...so I revisited this and decided it's a nice place to look back at all the milestones and exciting things that happen in the Henkel house. So with that in mind, I will attempt to add things occasionally in an effort to be able to look back when I'm scrapbooking these memories. Last month was an exciting month as Carson was able to meet his Uncle Gary, Aunt Chihiro and cousin Ali who stopped for a visit as they were passing through from Japan to their next stop. My mom and Bryan had an amazing gathering at their house for our family and their home looked wonderful. We had an amazing time with great pictures to show for it. We love that sweet little family of 3! I'm still busy at work and try to find time to scrapbook here and there...and been working on 2 books for a friend and 1/3 done on the 2 book. I've enjoyed working on them for her and happy with how they have turned out. Once complete, it will be time to work on pages for Carson's book. Have recently met 2 friends through scrapbooking and am reminded how much I love this hobby. They are so much fun to be with and enjoy paper and stickers as much as I do! Hi Alex and Sandy! xoxo Carson is really enjoying the following these days:

His favorite kitty (pictured above) Somedays I wonder if he's going to lose his arms/legs...he has had to have some mending on his little neck. This kitty is loved oh so much!

Anything Mater/Cars...can't wait for Cars 2!

Loves the following shows: Babar, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, Backyardigans, Wow Wow Wubzy. He is still a book lover. At school they said his favorite is "I love you stinky face". I have yet to locate this one at the library or Barnes and Noble. Carson is surprising us with new foods that he loves...we can add strawberries and craisins to the list. We took him to the park yesterday with such great weather and he loved kicking the ball around. Looking forward to summer for swim lessons or soccer. Bath time for that little monkey. Off I go.

happy...

birthday to Carson't grammie sue! We love you! Hope you had a fabulous birthday! Glad we were able to help celebrate! xoxo

p.s. love this picture so much...yes, I know that it's totally blurry but it so makes me smile to see that he was totally belly laughing on such a special occasion, grammie's birthday...and check out all those teeth...16 to be exact. whew. happy those are in.

xoxo

It's uncle...

gary's birthday! The 20th is a special day for a special dude....Carson's uncle Gary and my baby bro! And just for his day, I will remind him of when I used to call him baby bro! Wish you were here to celebrate in person! We love you! xoxo

p.s. hope Uncle Gary is enjoying some yummy things like this gelato.

p.s. #2 Carson climbed out of his crib for the first time yesterday. I didn't get to see it with my own eyes and I'm still in denial. Have to add a tent to the crib to keep him in a bit longer. Maybe he should be a monkey for Halloween. xoxo

sending special...

birthday wishes to my sweet, talented, beautiful new sister-in-law! Wishing you a fabulous birthday! xoxo

happy, happy birthday to...

my mom! I would like to shout from the rooftops a BIG birthday wish for the best grammie/mom ever! How do I ever tell you how much we love and adore you?
Let me list just a few reasons...
you pour your heart and soul in everything you do,

you spoil your grandson with hugs and kisses and stuff like there is no tomorrow,

you take care of our place when we are out of town,

you are the most positive person I know,

you can sew anything and everything,

you are so creative,

you enjoy hearing about everything we (Gary and I) do and are so proud,

you would put notes in my lunch when I was a wee one,

you support your children in whatever we do,
you are a good listener and give advice if requested,

I say, "jump" and you say, "how high!",

now that I know what labor and delivery is like, I have to add...you went through labor and delivery to bring Gary and I into the world,

and last but not least or else this post will be a mile long,

you love your friends and family unconditionally!

When I asked her what she would like for her birthday, she mentioned she would like to have a day with her grandson at the pumkin patch to take pictures of him in his halloween costume. Made the little scrapbook page to let her know her wish is granted.

Did I already say that you're the best mom! Well, I'd like to say it again! I only hope and wish that I am as great a mother as you are! Wishing you the best birthday ever!

xoxo

July 14...

was not only a special day in the Henkel house but an extra special day for my brother and his girlfriend...uhhh...fiance. They not only welcomed their nephew into the world but were engaged on the same day. Congrats to Gary and Chihiro on your engagement! We are extremely excited to welcome Chihiro into our family! We love you both! xoxo

happy mum's day...

as they say downunder! Here is an example of what an amazing mom I have: while we were on our trip she came to our place and totally rearranged and made space for baby....moved our dining room table into our family room to make space for our office/creative place which makes space for baby upstairs. So much work that we didn't have to do...Of course we still have more to do and of course she is so great that she has offered to do that too....paint, assemble furniture and welcome baby boy! The whole time we were on our trip I knew the little elves were here and couldn't wait to see what she would come up with...to top it all off she left me roses from her garden, spaghetti in the fridge (with help from her hubby the chef), cupcakes and some fruit too! Of course, I love EVERYTHING she did...always do! We are so lucky to have you as our mum and hope to be 1/2 as fabulous as she is! We love you with all our hearts! (dave and kim...and your grandbabyboy) xoxo

sweet...

love for these girls...my sweet nieces...always have a great time at the Henkel house! This time was to celebrate my sis-in-law's (adore her) and that sweet Ava's special days! Love that photo of miss lilly giving love to her cousin...even if he is a boy..."blagh" say the girls at that age about boys! ;-)

xoxo

oh happy day...

my brother made it safe and sound to japan! The great thing is that he was able to surprise his girlfriend for her birthday (happy birthday sweet chihiro). Glad they will be able to start "couplehood" (yes I know that's not a word but i like the sound of it). Chihiro is the one with the bow in her hair...adorable she is! Hope they had a bite of sushi last night for me! Looks delish! xoxo

christmas photos...

olive penguins
my sweet neice avadave and another sweet neice lilly
miss ava
my handsome brother Gary
tara my beautiful cousin
looking like a rockstar...cousin dylan

it's cleaning time...our house and the blog...more changes to come...having fun playing! photos are of family on both sides...mine and dave's. love them all...including the cutie pie little penguin olives my sweet sis-in-law, mindi made! xoxo

more photos of my side of the family over on my mom's blog...xoxo